MD General Surgery programs for a DO

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Dreammona

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Hi,

I'm in the Cleveland, OH area and want to do gen surg. My usmle 227, comlex 599. Really interested in Cleveland clinic, metrohealth, University hospitals, but are willing to move out of town as well (FL, carolinas, GA, but really unwilling to go to MI, PA, IN, etc)

What are the chances? Would a rotation at those sites help? Any DOs out there in MD residencies with pointers?

Thanks
 
Hi,

I'm in the Cleveland, OH area and want to do gen surg. My usmle 227, comlex 599. Really interested in Cleveland clinic, metrohealth, University hospitals, but are willing to move out of town as well (FL, carolinas, GA, but really unwilling to go to MI, PA, IN, etc)

What are the chances? Would a rotation at those sites help? Any DOs out there in MD residencies with pointers?

Thanks

First, why do you want to do a Allopathic residency? And, depending on what your reason is, why would you discriminate against "less desirable" geographic areas such as IN, MI, PA, etc...(trust me, Cleveland isn't all that great)? Sounds to me you are interested in what are perceived as high quality residency programs, and less interested in your education (MI, PA, IN all have VERY high quality training programs). If you just want to get out of the region and go to another, that is fine, but just say so.

As far as chances? You probably face an uphill battle at a top allopathic university program/academic powerhouse. While your USMLE scores aren't poor by any means, they don't blow anyone away. As a DO, you represent something of an "unknown". Right or wrong, that is just the way it is. Programs will have dozens and dozens of others with similar stats applying to their programs from institutions with which they are familiar.

Can you match? Yes, absolutely. Will you? Who F'n knows. Go for it. An away MAY help, but can also be a hindrance if you rub someone the wrong way. Go to the websites for programs you are interested in and see if they have any DOs currently. Apply to those places.
 
Also bear in mind that MI and PA are relatively DO friendly states - you are probably more likely to match in such places where the allopathic faculty are familiar with the local programs and quality of grads/osteopathic education.

I can understand not being interested in Indianapolis, but Cleveland over Philly? 😳
 
As one the 20 or so DOs last year that matched into a categorical allopathic spot I will pass the following advice along:

PasstheKoolaid: It seems like you have done your homeworK, I thought I was one of the few that knew the cold hard data heading into interviews as to the number of DOs that matched, historically over the last 5 years or so...I also scoured residency webpages and resident rosters...I knew the numbers and programs like the back of my hand...there is a tremendous amount of information floating out there that can help you make a more informed decision...

I sent out feeler emails to program coordinators around June or July or so flat-out asking if their programs considered DOs (they are incredibly honest) as well as other factors they look for in candidates...anyone that said No, (obviously) or did not respond to my email, I did not apply to...

To the LECOM-Bradenton poster: sorry but you really need to cast a wider net...you are facing an uphill battle...

I understand the debate of taking Step II early, my personal belief is that take it earlier as many of the people interviewing will most likely have not taken it...you do not want to give any program any reason whatsoever to knock you...and having all of your stuff (boards, application, LORs, responding to interview invitations in a timely manner) done ASAP only makes you look better...my personal statement, and ERAS app was complete ...and went out the day applications opened...

I interviewed allo and osteo and debated the risk v. benefit up until the last possible day to withdraw (in January)...literally I withdrew that morning...

Philadelphia proper allopathic programs are not DO-friendly...surrounding areas are a different story....

...all that being said...I am the first DO in my program...in a geographic area I am extremely pleased with...I 110% believe that the training and didactics in my program far surpasses anything osteopathic general surgery programs...

thats all for now, I'm beat and need some sleep...feel free to PM with questions....
 
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